The Bazball period has now concluded.

Captain Ben Stokes ended his England career amid their series loss to New Zealand in early July, and head coach Brendon McCullum lost his position on Sunday after seven losses across nine Tests.

England delivered both excitement and frustration under the duo through an approach that split opinions among supporters and experts.

Regardless of views on the style, the time proved unforgettable and we highlight some of the key moments from the McCullum years, positive and negative alike.

Bairstow's explosive start to Bazball, June 2022

McCullum and new captain Ben Stokes began with a win against New Zealand at Lord's after taking charge of a side that had secured just one victory in its prior 17 Tests.

The second Test of the series first revealed the team's intent.

Chasing 299 in 72 overs on day five at Trent Bridge, England reached 93-4 before Jonny Bairstow and Stokes advanced to 139-4 at tea, suggesting a draw as the likely outcome.

Yet Bairstow delivered a remarkable hitting display in the evening session, striking 14 fours and seven sixes to reach a 77-ball century.

That fell one ball short of Gilbert Jessop's England Test mark.

Bairstow scored 136 from 92 balls before departing late, but Stokes stayed to hit the winning boundary and secure victory with 22 overs remaining.

Historic chase stuns India, July 2022

Less than a month later, after completing a 3-0 series win over New Zealand, England repeated the feat.

Despite James Anderson's five wickets and Bairstow's first-innings century, the hosts required 378 to defeat India in the rearranged fifth Test.

England had never pursued such a target in Tests but opened strongly with a century partnership between Zak Crawley and Alex Lees.

Two Jasprit Bumrah wickets and a run out shifted the score from 107-0 to 109-3, making the target seem distant.

Two Yorkshire stars stepped up with an unbroken 269-run stand between Joe Root and Bairstow to seal the win comfortably.

Root finished 142 not out while Bairstow remained unbeaten on 114 for his second century of the match, scoring at over five an over to leave Bumrah and his team stunned.

This remarkable victory denied India a first Test series win in England since 2007 and illustrated Bazball at its peak.

Rawalpindi triumph, December 2022

The first overseas test of the McCullum era proved perhaps the most memorable.

In their first Test in Pakistan for 17 years, England secured a dramatic late victory on day five in fading Rawalpindi light.

Adventurous batting laid the foundation with a Test record 506-4 on day one and 921 runs across 136.5 overs at 6.73 per over in their two innings.

The bowlers delivered on the final day.

Pakistan stayed in contention chasing 343 at times before Anderson and Ollie Robinson claimed four wickets each with reverse swing to leave them fighting for a draw.

A resilient last-wicket partnership seemed poised to hold until Jack Leach trapped Naseem Shah lbw, triggering celebrations.

England swept the series 3-0.

Narrow defeat in Wellington, February 2023

With 10 wins in 11 Tests, Bazball appeared unstoppable and after a dominant victory over New Zealand in Mount Maunganui, England looked set for 11 from 12 in Wellington.

Root and Harry Brook posted big centuries as the tourists reached 435-8 declared before dismissing the hosts for 209 and enforcing the follow-on.

Kane Williamson's century revived New Zealand, leaving England needing 258 to win the series.

Brook's run out without facing a ball left England at 80-5, but Root and Stokes steadied the innings.

Both fell quickly, Root five short of twin centuries, yet Ben Foakes appeared likely to finish the job.

He was caught with seven needed, forcing Leach and Anderson to attempt the rest.

Anderson hit a boundary to leave two needed but then gloved a Neil Wagner short ball down leg.

The Kiwis claimed a stunning win as England reflected on several dismissals during the chase, a recurring issue.

Expensive Ashes declaration, June 2023

Every Ashes series builds huge anticipation but 2023 felt elevated as Australia, fresh World Test champions, faced Bazball for the first time.

The opening ball often sets the tone and Crawley's drive through the covers for four against Pat Cummins made a clear statement.

Fans' reactions showed this was truly underway with England ready to challenge the Australians.

Another strong Root century put the hosts ahead as day one neared its end but Stokes declared at 393-8 to accelerate the game and attack Australia before stumps.

The move failed as Australia reached stumps safely and won the first Test at Edgbaston by two wickets.

Stokes noted it seemed a moment to press but whether 20 or 30 more runs would have altered the result remains unknown.

Short-ball struggles and Manchester rain, July 2023

A tense second Test in the 2023 Ashes is recalled for Bairstow's disputed stumping and the strong fan response.

Stokes nearly converted his anger into another match-winning innings but such efforts might not have been needed without England's first-innings collapse from a strong position.

After Australia posted 416, England reached 188-1 before repeatedly falling to the short-ball tactic in their attacking approach.

They finished at 325 all out when level scores had seemed assured as day two closed.

Australia won to lead 2-0 and though England, boosted by Mark Wood and Chris Woakes, pushed for a comeback it fell short.

Victory at Headingley put England close to levelling at Old Trafford before rain halted play.

Only 30 overs occurred on day four with none on day five, allowing Australia, five down and 61 short of forcing England to bat again, to escape and retain the urn.

Hyderabad victory, January 2024

England's strongest away win under McCullum came here.

After conceding a 190-run first-innings deficit to an India side that had lost just three of their previous 46 home Tests, the contest appeared over.

Another series loss in India seemed inevitable.

Ollie Pope delivered a career-best 196 to revive England.

India expected to chase 231 but Tom Hartley stunned them with 7-62.

Nerves lingered until the end but Hartley dismissed Mohammed Siraj for a 28-run win and raised hopes England could compete in India for the first time in over a decade.

The hosts recovered to win the series 4-1.

Brook's triple century helps reach 800, October 2024

The India defeat dimmed Bazball's appeal but a return to Pakistan offered renewed hope.

The first Test in Multan recalled England's capabilities.

Pakistan scored 556 first but England responded with numerous records after nearly two days in the field.

England reached 823-7, their fourth-highest total and largest since 1938.

Root and Brook added 454 runs, the fourth-highest partnership in Test history.

Root scored a career-best 262 while Brook became the first England batter to make a triple century in 34 years with 317 at nearly a run a ball.

England won by an innings but Pakistan adjusted pitches to win the next two and take the series.

India capitalise on errors in Oval thriller, August 2025

A strong New Zealand series win and expected success over Zimbabwe failed to silence growing doubts about Bazball before another major series.

England and India produced a classic with the hosts 2-1 ahead at The Oval for the fifth Test.

Another gripping contest ended dramatically.

England appeared set to repeat Edgbaston when chasing 374, reaching 301-3 with Root and Brook in another strong stand nearing 200.

Brook fell for 111 attempting one shot too many after a brilliant century.

Root completed his hundred but Jacob Bethell's dismissal shifted momentum and when Root departed for 105 the outcome hung in balance.

England needed 35 with four wickets left on day five but Jamie Smith fell early, India seized control and despite Woakes batting with an arm in a sling, Siraj delivered a six-run victory.

Further Ashes loss in Australia, December 2025

The result that perhaps sealed Bazball's fate for many came with an Ashes defeat in Australia.

England's positive mood after day one in Perth now feels distant.

Despite being bowled out for 172, the visitors looked set for a first-innings lead after reducing Australia to 123-9.

Just after lunch on day two, England led by over 100 with one wicket down.

Everything then unravelled.

A collapse from 65-1 to 88-6 followed with Travis Head dominant and defeat arrived in two days.

Australia needed longer in Brisbane but still won easily and though England showed more resistance late in Adelaide it proved insufficient as the Ashes ended.

This occurred against an Australia side without Pat Cummins for the first two Tests, Josh Hazlewood for the series and Steve Smith for the third.

Victory in Melbourne offered some consolation as a first win in Australia for 15 years.

McCullum received another opportunity but a 2-1 series loss to New Zealand at the start of the 2026 home summer led to his sacking.